For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 29, 2004

President Tours Hurricane Damage
Mckenna Brothers
Lake Wales, Florida

3:39 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank the McKenna boys for showing us
around here, giving us a chance to see the devastation that took place
here -- from not just one hurricane, but three hurricanes. I want to
thank my brother, Jeb, for his hospitality and his leadership. I want
to thank Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, for being down here. I
want to thank Charlie Bronson, Secretary of Agriculture. I want to
thank Adam Putnam, congressman from this part of the world. Every time
I see Adam, all he does is talk about oranges. His hair is kind of
orange.

I understand a lot of people in this area, like Marty and Pat, were
hit hard by Jeanne and Charley and Frances. These are storms that have
taken lives, storms that have created severe flooding, storms that
caused major power outages, and storms that damaged farms and homes and
hospitals and roads. It's been a devastating period for the state of
Florida. It is the first time in nearly 120 years that four hurricanes
have hit the same state in a single season. People of Florida have met
historic challenges with extraordinary strength and generosity.

State emergency response teams have saved lives by evacuating
people before the storm, and responding swiftly after the storm
arrived. Power crews and telephone workers are putting in long hours
to restore services. Despite week after week of strain, faith-based
groups, like Southern Baptists and the Salvation Army, are setting up
kitchens to feed the hungry. The Red Cross is running shelters and
providing medical services for the injured. The National Guard is
distributing supplies and conducting safety patrols. Across the state,
people are showing great compassion and helping their neighbors make it
through these storms, and I thank them for their care and their
decency.

The federal government is continuing our active role in the
recovery efforts. We're working closely with governors like Jeb, and
with other state and local officials to make sure resources reach the
people who need it. I've asked Congress to provide $12.2 billion to
respond to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. My request
provides resources to repair bridges and highways and hospitals. It
includes funding for the Small Business Administration to make loans to
home owners and small businesses. It includes more than $8 billion for
FEMA, the largest amount ever provided in response to a natural
disaster. FEMA has responded rapidly to all four storms, and they
continue working to make disaster assistance available to people in
need.

I want to thank Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, and FEMA
Director Mike Brown for their tremendous work these past few weeks.
They, and those who work for FEMA, have the gratitude of the
administration and the people of this country.

I know Florida's agriculture sector has been hit especially hard.
Marty and Pat almost lost half their orange crop. I know a lot of
other growers have lost a lot of crop, too. My budget request will
provide vital assistance to the citrus growers and to other farmers and
ranchers who've suffered losses. Secretary Veneman and I will also
ensure that Florida farmers are treated fairly on the global market,
and that no country takes advantage of citrus growers during this time
of disaster. My administration will make sure that citrus remains a
strong part of this state's economy. (Applause.)

The federal government is committed to helping people here get back
on their feet. I call on Congress to pass my supplemental request
quickly, so we can get more people in Florida the help they need.
These have been trying weeks for Americans across the southeast,
especially in this state. Once again, I want to thank Jeb for his
outstanding leadership. I thank the citizens of Florida for their
great courage and their decency. Our nation is praying for the victims
of these storms; we pray for all who come to their aid.